Hampshire County Council

CHILDREN’S SERVICES HEALTH & SAFETY

ACTIONS FOLLOWING AN ACCIDENT – A BRIEF GUIDE

1 Introduction

Following any accident or incident at the work premises or during authorised work, there are certain actions required under law and/or under Hampshire County Council (HCC) corporate and departmental policies. This brief guide provides an easy-to-understand overview of the common actions required following an accident, incident or near miss.

2 Actions to be taken

The following actions are to be taken and these are explained in more detail further on in this guide:

a. Immediate, remedial & medical actions

b. Secondary actions

c. Completion/sending of accident report form

d. Completion/sending of F2508 HSE Accident Report Form (if reportable)

e. Carry out & document an accident/incident investigation

f. Risk assessment or review of current risk assessment (as appropriate)

g. Implementation of identified control measures (and periodic reviews thereafter)

3. Actions explained

a. Immediate, remedial & medical actions

These are the basic actions required in the event of any accident or incident and may include:

·  Calling for assistance

·  Administering first aid

·  Calling an ambulance

·  Making the area temporarily safe or preventing others from being exposed to the same hazard

b. Secondary actions

According to the nature of the accident/incident and/or its consequences, there are certain actions that should be carried out to provide records of the accident/incident and the following should be completed as appropriate to the seriousness or type of accident/incident. These secondary actions include:

·  Taking photographs of the accident site

·  Taking photographs of the injuries

·  Taking statements from witnesses

·  Making a brief record of events (as soon as possible after the accident/incident)

·  Longer term isolation of the area to prevent access pending implementation of permanent barriers

c. Completion/sending of accident report form

An accident report should be completed at the earliest opportunity following the accident. For all accidents including those to employees and visitors (with the exception of accidents involving pupils), the accident report book should be used. This should be a pre-printed report form pad with ‘tear-out’ report forms. The completed (original) report form should be retained in a secure storage, and a photocopy posted to the Children’s Services Health & Safety Team, Clarendon House, Monarch Way, Winchester, SO22 5PW in accordance with corporate and departmental requirements. It should be noted that the accident report form is available on the Children’s Services Health & Safety Website at Accident Book Report Form (HCC). This electronic version can only be downloaded to be completed and posted – it is not for online submission.

For accidents to pupils in school, very minor accidents should be recorded in a local exercise book. More serious accidents such as those requiring significant first aid administration, contact with parents, or where a claim against the HCC is possible, should be recorded on CSRF-003 School Accident Internal Report Form and retained at school. Each year, a formal request for numbers of all completed CSRF-003 forms will be issued and data received from schools will be used to collate county and national statistics. Be advised that all accident/incident reporting and investigation guidance and requirements are clearly and simply set out in Children's Services Safety Guidance Procedure SGP-17-07.

d. Completion/sending of F2508 HSE Accident Report Form

Under the Reporting Injuries Diseases Dangerous Occurrence Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR), there is a legal requirement to report some accidents/incidents directly to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE). This would include accidents that are serious or result in broken bones (not digits) or more than three days unable to work. To identify whether an employee’s, visitor’s or child’s accident/incident should be reported to the HSE, use the Action Flowcharts at Accident Reporting to HSE - Action Flowchart for Adults Children (CSHST) or use one of the Action Flowcharts in the guidance contained within the CSRF-003 Form itself. If in doubt, contact the Children’s Services Health & Safety Team to discuss the reporting requirements

The F2508 Accident Report Form is available at F2508 HSE Accident Report Form (RIDDOR) and having identified a requirement to report an accident to the HSE, it should be downloaded, printed and completed, and the original sent to the HSE at the address on the form itself. A copy should be retained by the sender and a photocopy also posted to the Children’s Services Health & Safety Team, Clarendon House, Monarch Way, Winchester, SO22 5PW.

e. Carry out & document an accident/incident investigation

Accidents, incidents and near misses should be investigated unless the nature and consequences of the event are insignificant. The purpose of the investigation is to establish the immediate and root causes of the accident/incident with a view to examining failures and implementing control measures to prevent further reoccurrences. Once the investigation has been undertaken, notes taken should be used to complete the Online Accident/Incident Investigation Report Form (HCC). This is a preformatted, corporate online investigation report form which is simple and quick to use. Once completed and submitted, a printable version of the form will be automatically returned to you (electronically) and a copy will automatically be forwarded to the Children’s Services Health & Safety Team, who will attach it to the related accident report form and/or F2508 Report Form.

f. Risk assessment or review of current risk assessment

Where injury has resulted or a significant risk has been identified through the investigation process, responsible managers should ensure that a review of the risk assessment (relating to the hazard causing the accident) is carried out by a their trained risk assessor. Where the risk may have been previously unforeseeable, a new risk assessment should be completed and control measures identified that would reduce the risk of future similar accidents. A summary of findings or new control measures (identified as part of the risk assessment or review process) would be expected to be included in the investigation report to demonstrate actions indicating that the potential dangers have been identified and something has been done to control the risks.

g. Implementation of identified control measures

Once new control measures have been identified, make sure that they are implemented as soon as possible to prevent reoccurrence of such an accident/incident. Monitor the new controls to establish their effectiveness and periodically review the risk assessment to ensure that control measures remain effective.

4. Need further advice?

Still unsure of your actions in the event of an accident, incident or near miss? Then contact the Children’s Services Health & Safety Team as follows:

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